Author
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BOWER, CYNTHIA |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2006 Publication Date: 6/6/2007 Citation: Bower, C.K. 2007. Post Harvest Handling, Storage, and Treatment for Fresh Market of Berry Fruit. In: Zhao, Y., Editor. Berry Fruit: Value-Added Products for Health Promotion. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. p. 261-288. Interpretive Summary: This is a chapter for inclusion in a book called Berry Fruit: Value-Added Products for Health Promotion, (editor Yanyun Zhao). The chapter describes post-harvest handling, storage and treatment of fresh market berry fruit, including the importance of shelf-life extension, disease control, and current technologies for retaining berry quality, such as cold storage, controlled atmosphere storage and modified atmosphere packaging. Edible coatings, irradiation treatments, and biocontrol agents are also discussed as methods for extending the shelf-life of fresh market fruit. Technical Abstract: A perfect berry growing in the field may not reach the consumer in the same flawless condition. Producing high-quality berry fruit is only the first step. Delivering them to market in premium condition is also essential to command the buyer’s attention. The handling of berries during harvesting, sorting, packing, storage, and transport determines whether the crop will be suitable for fresh market sales. Post-harvest handling and storage techniques have been designed to maintain the maximum quality, prolong the shelf-life, and retain consumer appeal, so that the grower will receive the highest market price at the time of sale. The goal of this chapter is to provide information on quality retention in fresh berry fruits through proper post-harvest handling and storage. |
